Video

Dec 4, 2011 | 01:13

Pandas enroute to UK

Dec. 4 - A pair of pandas on loan from China to Scottland, begin their journey to their new home. Julie Noce reports.

TRANSCRIPT +

Two very important Chinese guests are on their way to Scottland Sunday... giant panda bears.
Tian Tian and Yang Guang - or Sweetie and Sunshine in English- were lifted onto a specially charted flight en route to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
The pair are both 8 years old... and will spend the next 10 years living in the cold, damp climate of Edinburgh which is similar to their native forests in Sichuan.
As for the flight... it's nothing short of first class service for these two.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF FLIGHT OPERATIONS FOR FEDEX PAUL CASSEL SAYING:
"OK, well there's four crew members, two attendants, one veterinarian and one cargo handler, and they'll be taking very close care just like first class passengers on any airline. Watching after them, all of us will be able to go back and look after them, make sure that they're happy and secure and that their ride is secure just like any passenger airlines. We will look very carefully after the pandas en route to Edinburgh."
After their time in Scotland is over, the pair, and any offspring they have, will go back home to China.
Julie Noce, Reuters

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